Page 31 of Bookworm

He wanted to pretend as if it never happened.

I could do that.

I could.

Even if he was my first.

Even if I could still feel the press of his mouth against mine.

This was Bo's way of brushing me off.In my beloved historical romance novels, they would've called his behavior "snubbing" or "giving the cut direct." Bo Stryker had snubbed me.Hewanted nothing more to do with me or my lips.Well, fine. Imay have had limited romantic experience, but I could take a hint.

Throughout the day, though, I kept getting the oddest feeling.

Like Bo's eyes were on me.

If it wasn't for Scarlett, I would've thought I was going crazy.

"Why does Bo Stryker keep looking at you?" she'd asked, meeting me at my locker after the last bell rang.

"What?" I said, heart fluttering at the sound of his name. "He's not looking at me."

"Well, he was," she said. "I caught him giving you this intense look at lunch."

She had?

"Did something happen between you two?"

"Nope, nada, nothing, nope."

Scarlett's eyes filled with suspicion. "You're smiling super hard right now."

"Of course, I am,"I said, shutting my locker and turning to face her. "That's because I'm so excited about work today. We're getting ready for our Friends of the Library event. It's going to be book-tastic! Book-tacular! B-amazing?"

"You're acting strange," she said thoughtfully. "But that's normal for you. I liked book-tastic the best."

I nodded. "Great."

As we walked out to the car,Scarlett patted me on the shoulder. "I'm sure you'll tell me all about Bowhen you're ready. Otherwise, I'll be left to imagine"—her lips tipped up in a grin—"and you know mymind isn't nearly as PG-13 as yours."

"Hey, I have R-rated thoughts!"

"Do you?"

"Sometimes," I said.

She released a laugh. "Let me guess. You dream of being ravished in the library?"

Cheeks pink, trying desperately not to think of how close she'd come to the truth without realizing it, I pulled my books tighter to my chest and sniffed. "I do not."

Scarlett bumped my shoulder with hers. "Try to sound a little more convincing next time. Maybe then I'll believe you. Also, you know I was kidding, right?"

"Yeah," I said then lifted a brow at her. "Besides, at least I don't have a list of all the romantic acts I'd like to complete before I graduate, including but not limited to: handholding, kissing, cuddling—"

Scarlett's eyes widened as she placed a hand over my mouth, glancing around."Seriously, Lotte? What the heck? My secret list is not up for discussion—especially in public."

I held up my hands in surrender, and she dropped hers back to her side.

"Sorry," I said.

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